Title: Ethnic Armenians Evacuate Nagorno-Karabakh as Azerbaijan Advances
Subtitle: More than 1,000 people flee amid fears of violence and persecution
Date: [Current Date]
In Response to Azerbaijan’s military offensive to retake control of the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh, ethnic Armenians living in the enclave have begun evacuating the area. The rapid offensive launched by Azerbaijan prompted local fighters to agree to a cease-fire, but the situation has left ethnic Armenians in fear for their safety.
According to reports, the first wave of evacuees arrived in Armenia on Sunday afternoon local time. The country’s state-owned news agency has confirmed that over 1,000 people crossed the border into Armenia by Sunday night. The International Committee of the Red Cross has also facilitated the evacuation of 23 wounded patients from the region.
Leaders in Nagorno-Karabakh, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, have warned that the initial departures could soon turn into a mass exodus. Ethnic Armenian residents harbor concerns that they would face violence or persecution if they choose to stay. “Our people do not want to live as part of Azerbaijan,” said David Babayan, an adviser to the region’s president.
The situation has garnered international attention, with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling on Azerbaijan to protect civilians and respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms of Nagorno-Karabakh residents. The conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan has been ongoing for over 30 years, with Nagorno-Karabakh being a major flashpoint.
In 1994, a cease-fire was declared, leaving Armenia in control of the region, despite its location within Azerbaijan’s internationally recognized borders. Skirmishes along the border have occasionally occurred but escalated again in 2020, leading to Azerbaijan recapturing parts of Nagorno-Karabakh. Russia subsequently dispatched peacekeepers to guard the Lachin Corridor, connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia.
Recent tensions were further fueled when Azerbaijan established an official checkpoint along the Lachin Corridor in April, angering Armenians who directed their ire at Russia. The blockade and surprise attack have raised concerns about the objectives and motivations of the Russian peacekeeping troops, as expressed by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in a speech on Sunday.
Azerbaijan launched its offensive operation on September 19, describing it as an “anti-terrorist” operation and urging armed forces in Nagorno-Karabakh to disarm. According to reports, the operation involved drone and artillery strikes in various towns, causing civilian casualties, displacing thousands, and damaging residential buildings and infrastructure.
On September 20, Nagorno-Karabakh’s military force agreed to a complete disarmament, and Azerbaijan’s Defense Ministry declared victory, announcing the handover of all weapons and heavy equipment while insisting that Armenian armed forces leave the territory. However, the fate of the ethnic Armenian inhabitants remains uncertain.
Prime Minister Pashinyan reported that 30% of Nagorno-Karabakh’s population has been displaced, with limited humanitarian assistance provided by Russia and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Thousands of displaced individuals have been relocated to a Russian peacekeepers’ camp.
The current situation in Nagorno-Karabakh reveals a desperate humanitarian crisis, with reports of insufficient food, medicine, shelter, and separation from families. The region is gripped with terror and fear for the lives of its residents.
Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev announced the restoration of sovereignty following Azerbaijan’s 24-hour ground and artillery offensive on Wednesday. The President pledged future coexistence for Christian Armenians in his Muslim country.
As international attention focuses on the plight of ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh, urgent calls for humanitarian assistance and diplomatic interventions have intensified to alleviate the suffering and protect the rights of those affected by the conflict.
Overall, the situation is evolving rapidly, and the humanitarian crisis requires immediate attention from the international community to ensure the safety and well-being of the people affected by the conflict.